{"id":18991,"date":"2017-11-10T06:15:56","date_gmt":"2017-11-10T11:15:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=18991"},"modified":"2017-11-10T02:41:13","modified_gmt":"2017-11-10T07:41:13","slug":"datsun-240z-with-a-bmw-inline-six","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=18991","title":{"rendered":"Datsun 240Z with a BMW Inline-Six"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

Christopher was ready to move on from his 1987 BMW M6 to the next project. After realized there was little interest in the BMW M6, he would swap the freshly rebuilt inline-six and transmission into a 1972 Datsun 240Z. After three years of hard work this 240Z is a cut above the rest. <\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

The first job was to find out if the BMW engine would even fit. After several test fits Christopher determined it would but not without modifying the oil pan and crossmember. He lowered the crossmember 1\/2 inch and cut and lowered the center section of the crossmember 7\/8 inch to achieve a total clearance of 1-3\/8 inches. He brought the steering and suspension geometry back in alignment using offset tie rods and roll center spacers. <\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

After the initial engine mockup the body was acid dipped. This removed all layers of paint and body filler exposing the bare metal and all the imperfections. Christopher repaired rust damage and stitched welded all the seams. <\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

Christopher also used the opportunity to fabricate and install several braces to strengthen the body. He then sprayed the body in epoxy primer and sealed all seams. <\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

With the body taken care of it was time to assemble all the pieces. Christopher lowered the built 3.5 L S38B35 inline-six into the bay with custom motor mounts. From the factory the engine produces 256 hp at 6,500 rpm and 242 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. However this particular one uses larger fuel injectors and a Megasquirt II ECU.<\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

Christopher paired the engine with a Getrag five-speed manual transmission and R200 rear end from a Datsun 280Z. He upgraded the rear end with an OBX limited-slip differential and 3.90 gears. <\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

The changes to the interior were subtle with a goal of looking factory. The most noticeable are Nissan 350Z seats and Speedhut gauges decorating the dash.<\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

The braking system was completely rebuilt with new hard lines, SS braided flex hoses, and larger master cylinder from a 280Z. The front brakes use vented rotors with four-piston calipers from a Toyota 4×4 and the rear brakes are single-piston from a Maxima. Covering the brakes are a set of Rota Grid 16×8 bronze wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich G-Force Rival 225\/50 tires. <\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

Shortly after finishing the project the 240Z suffered engine damage. It turned out a poorly designed shim moved and blocked an oil passage. Fortunately Christopher shut the engine off quickly and mitigated the damage. After replacing the crank, bearings, and oil control rings, the engine is running great and Christopher is out enjoying his hard work. You can view more photos and details in the project’s build thread<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n

\"1972<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Christopher was ready to move on from his 1987 BMW M6 to the next project. After realized there was little interest in the BMW M6, he would swap the freshly rebuilt inline-six and transmission into a 1972 Datsun 240Z. After three years of hard work this 240Z is a cut above the rest. The first… Read More »Datsun 240Z with a BMW Inline-Six<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":19300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-240z"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/1972-Datsun-240Z-with-a-BMW-S38-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":107514,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=107514","url_meta":{"origin":18991,"position":0},"title":"Datsun 240Z with a S50 Inline-Six","author":"swaptastic","date":"November 13, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Luke Oxley from Fullboost interviewed David Fettell about his Datsun 240Z. David built the car with a 3.2 L S50B32 inline-six from a BMW E36 M3 making around 321 hp. The motor features stock internals, factory ECU, custom headers, and custom exhaust. Behind the motor is a ZF five-speed manual\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "240Z"","block_context":{"text":"240Z","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=93"},"img":{"alt_text":"Datsun 240Z with a S50 Inline-Six","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Datsun-240Z-with-a-S50-Inline-Six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Datsun-240Z-with-a-S50-Inline-Six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Datsun-240Z-with-a-S50-Inline-Six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Datsun-240Z-with-a-S50-Inline-Six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Datsun-240Z-with-a-S50-Inline-Six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":147453,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=147453","url_meta":{"origin":18991,"position":1},"title":"1973 Datsun 240Z with a Turbo RB26","author":"swaptastic","date":"April 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"This 1973 Datsun 240Z is powered by a turbocharged RB26 inline-six built by PMC Racing Engines. The motor features a billet block, ItalianRP rods and pistons, Tomei 270 camshafts, and Garret GTX3582R turbocharger. Behind the motor is a Nismo twin-plate clutch, Skyline R34 GTS-T transmission, and R34 R200 rear end\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "240Z"","block_context":{"text":"240Z","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=93"},"img":{"alt_text":"1973 Datsun 240Z with a turbo RB26 inline-six","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1973-Datsun-240Z-with-a-turbo-RB26-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C676&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1973-Datsun-240Z-with-a-turbo-RB26-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C676&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1973-Datsun-240Z-with-a-turbo-RB26-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C676&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1973-Datsun-240Z-with-a-turbo-RB26-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C676&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1973-Datsun-240Z-with-a-turbo-RB26-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C676&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":101963,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=101963","url_meta":{"origin":18991,"position":2},"title":"1971 Datsun 240Z with a L28 Inline-Six","author":"swaptastic","date":"June 26, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Dov Aronoff and his company NV Auto in Hamilton, ON, Canada was tasked with upgrading the power plant in this 1971 Datsun 240Z. The car's factory 2.4 L L24 inline-six was swapped for a L28 stroker inline-six built by Datsun Spirit in Manassas, Virginia. The new motor features OER individual\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "240Z"","block_context":{"text":"240Z","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=93"},"img":{"alt_text":"1971 Datsun 240Z with a L28 Inline-Six","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/1971-Datsun-240Z-with-a-L28-Inline-Six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/1971-Datsun-240Z-with-a-L28-Inline-Six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/1971-Datsun-240Z-with-a-L28-Inline-Six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/1971-Datsun-240Z-with-a-L28-Inline-Six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/1971-Datsun-240Z-with-a-L28-Inline-Six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":102427,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=102427","url_meta":{"origin":18991,"position":3},"title":"1970 Datsun 240Z with a Turbo RB26","author":"swaptastic","date":"July 7, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This 1970 Datsun 240Z originally came with a 2.4 L L24 inline-six making 151 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. Now it's making 328 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque thanks to a turbocharged 2.6 L RB26DETT inline-six. The swapped motor features CP-Carillo pistons, Manley rods, Supertech valves and springs,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "240Z"","block_context":{"text":"240Z","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=93"},"img":{"alt_text":"Turbo RB26 inline-six swapped 1970 Datsun 240Z","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/1970-Datsun-240Z-with-a-Turbo-RB26-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/1970-Datsun-240Z-with-a-Turbo-RB26-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/1970-Datsun-240Z-with-a-Turbo-RB26-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/1970-Datsun-240Z-with-a-Turbo-RB26-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/1970-Datsun-240Z-with-a-Turbo-RB26-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":112912,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=112912","url_meta":{"origin":18991,"position":4},"title":"1972 Datsun 240Z with a Turbo RB25","author":"swaptastic","date":"March 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"This 1972 Datsun 240Z was built by Kindig It Design over the course of 12 months in 2015. In the engine bay sits a turbocharged RB25 inline-six producing 480+ hp to the wheels on 22 psi of boost. Behind the inline-six is a five-speed manual transmission and Infiniti Q45 rear\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "240Z"","block_context":{"text":"240Z","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=93"},"img":{"alt_text":"1972 Datsun 240Z with a turbo RB25 inline-six","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1972-Datsun-240Z-with-a-turbo-RB25-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1972-Datsun-240Z-with-a-turbo-RB25-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1972-Datsun-240Z-with-a-turbo-RB25-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1972-Datsun-240Z-with-a-turbo-RB25-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1972-Datsun-240Z-with-a-turbo-RB25-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":143491,"url":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?p=143491","url_meta":{"origin":18991,"position":5},"title":"Aluminum Datsun 240Z with a RB25DET","author":"swaptastic","date":"December 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Larry Chen interviewed Topher Pine at the SEMA Show 2025 about this Datsun 240Z. The coupe is powered by a Turbocharged 2.5 L RB25DET inline-six capable of 400-450 hp (294-330 kW). It is backed by a CD009 six-speed manual transmission and R200 rear differential. What sets Topher's 240Z apart from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "240Z"","block_context":{"text":"240Z","link":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/?cat=93"},"img":{"alt_text":"Datsun 240Z with a RB25DET inline-six and aluminum body","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Aluminum-Datsun-240Z-with-a-RB25DET-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Aluminum-Datsun-240Z-with-a-RB25DET-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Aluminum-Datsun-240Z-with-a-RB25DET-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Aluminum-Datsun-240Z-with-a-RB25DET-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/engineswapdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Aluminum-Datsun-240Z-with-a-RB25DET-inline-six-01.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18991"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18991\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engineswapdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}